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NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Don’t fret football fans, the NFL season may be over but there is a new wave in the world of football: the XFL. All games take place on Saturdays and Sundays, and can be seen on most major television networks including ESPN, ABC, and FOX. The 10-week season will conclude with two playoff matchups and the XFL Championship – all three games taking place in late April.
The newly formed league is comprised of 8 teams made up of former college and NFL players, giving football fans a lengthened time of year to watch some competitive gridiron action. The teams are split into two divisions: the East and West division. The teams in the East division include: the DC Defenders, New York Guardians, St. Louis Battlehawks, and Tampa Bay Vipers. The West includes: the Dallas Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, LA Wildcats, Seattle Dragons.
Both the DC Defenders and the Dallas Renegades boast notable former NFL signal callers, with the defenders led by former Ohio State national champion and former quarterback for the Buffalo Bills Cardale Jones. Former Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback Landry Jones leads the Renegades. Both have started out hot this season.
They’re not the only team with a good signal caller. The Houston Roughnecks are led by former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Walker. He’s surprised many through the first two games. He’s thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception for 442 yards.
Brandon Silver is the man under center for the Seattle Dragons. His targets include Keenan Reynolds, Kasen Williams and Austin Proehl. Reynolds, the former Navy quarterback, has the NCAA Division I record for career touchdowns (88) and the FBS record for career rushing yards by a quarterback (4,559). He’s made the transition to receiver flawlessly.
The LA Wildcats’ inagural season has been a rollercoaster. After just one game they fired their defensive coordinator, and switched quarterbacks. They are now led by former University of San Diego standout Josh Johnson at quarterback.
Former Texas A&M QB Luis Perez, who was the starter for the Birmingham Iron of the American Alliance of Football (AAF), shares quarterback duties for the New York Guardians along with Matt McGloin; known most notable for his days as a Penn State Nittany Lion.
The Tampa Bay Vipers are led by former Chicago Bears head coach, and two-time CFL Coach of the Year, Marc Trestman. Defensively, former 2nd round draft pick in 2015 Jalen Collins leads a tough Vipers secondary from the cornerback position. Hamburg, New York native Jake Schum is the punter.
Finally, the St. Louis BattleHawks play-caller is Jordan Ta’amu – a Pearl City, Hawaii native and former Mississippi State quarterback. Matt Jones, a third round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, leads the backfield. Will Hill leads their secondary, he has four seasons of NFL experience under his belt.
Statistics as of Feb. 19, 2020.
Niagara Wire 